With Sharpton on sidelines, James shows Texans he can take Ryans’ place

Unfortunately for Darryl Sharpton, he’s not the replacement for DeMeco Ryans.

Bradie James is.

Sharpton, who rotated with Ryans last season until he suffered a torn quadriceps tendon that ended his season, continues to rehab and prepare for his return in training camp.

“Last season, I felt I was playing at a high level and getting better every week,” Sharpton said after Thursday’s OTA. “It’s been really frustrating, but it’s something that’s going to make me stronger.

“(The injury) was a heartbreaker, a test of my character, but I’ve persevered in the past. I’ll continue to do my rehab and work as hard as I can.”

James, 31, played his first nine seasons with Dallas and led the Cowboys in tackles for six consecutive seasons. His head coach for 3½ seasons was Wade Phillips, Texans defensive coordinator. His linebackers coach was Reggie Herring, who has the same title with the Texans.

“I’m learning a lot from him,” Sharpton said about James. “He’s a student of the game, and he’s got a lot of experience.”

When the Cowboys didn’t invite James to return for a 10th season, he accepted an offer to be reunited with Phillips and Herring. With Ryans’ trade to Philadelphia and Sharpton’s injury, the Texans had an opening next to Brian Cushing.

James knows Phillips’ 3-4 system better than any of his new defensive teammates, who played it for the first time last year.

“It was a no-brainer for me to come here,” James said. “The job is to build on what we did last year. I’m just trying to fit in and be productive.

“This (defense) is a hard-working group that flies to the ball. They’re very hungry and not complacent about what they did last year. It’s a very confident group that needs to continue to be tenacious and dominate.”

James has finished his first six OTAs with the Texans. He’s entrenched as the starter, and his coaches have confidence in him.

“We feel like we’ve gained back what we lost with DeMeco and then some, to be honest with you,” Herring said last week. “On top of that, he knows our defense and knows how to run the show. And he brings a certain calm to our defense.”

Phillips is entrusting James (6-2, 246) with a lot of responsibility.

“The guy’s a field general, the quarterback on the (defense),” Phillips said. “He calls all the signals and all the audibles. He’s familiar with what we’re doing and how we want it done and what changes we need to make in the heat of the battle.

“You need a signal-caller that helps everybody, and Bradie does that. He can tell everybody, ‘Hey, this is where we’re playing. I cover this guy; you cover that guy. The safety’s got him.’

“He knows the whole defense. A lot of players know their own position, but Bradie knows the whole defense. I don’t see much difference in him than a year and a half ago.”

That’s when Phillips was fired as Cowboys coach midway through the 2010 season.

Phillips and Herring recommended James to coach Gary Kubiak.

“He’s just what Reggie and Wade said he was,” Kubiak said. “He’s a leader, a very sharp guy. He knows our defense inside out. He’s got very good movement skills, and he fit in with the group right away.”

Meanwhile, Sharpton (5-11, 230) rides a stationary bike on the sideline during practice while James impresses his teammates and coaches.

“It obviously hurts him,” Phillips said about Sharpton not being able to participate in OTAs. “Being out there watching and being in the meetings is one thing, but being out on the field and doing it is something else.

“Some guys can watch and play, and other guys can’t. He played real well for us last year, and we’re hoping he comes back.”